Shaffer
05-08-07, 07:12 AM
Coalition service members regard the majority of Iraq’s Al Anbar Province, the region west of Baghdad extending from the Jordanian to Syrian border, as an area under progress and in transition. However, there are still a few pockets of resistance where terrorists use murder and intimidation within the community.
In Karmah, a suburb northeast of Fallujah, Iraqi Police and Provincial Security Forces have continued to battle those who have infiltrated their community and threatened the peaceful lives of shop owners and school children.
To battle these threats, Coalition and Iraqi Forces are continuing to build a strong, reliable security presence throughout Iraq.
There are currently more than 8,000 Iraqi Police, highway patrolmen and PSF in the province. Coalition Forces predict there will be an additional 2,600 sign up for these roles by the end of spring and anticipate having 14,000 Iraqi Police and PSF throughout Al Anbar by year’s end.
More than 20 police recruits graduated, April 28, from the police academy in Baharia and are headed back to their hometown to protect the dusty, crumbled city of Karmah. Terrorists have recently used suicide vehicle improvised explosive devices, mortar and rocket propelled grenade attacks to disrupt the lives for those who try to live a nonviolent existence.
Armed with automatic weapons and ammunition draping from head to toe young and older men alike, wearing blue police vests with their faces covered by scarves, disperse throughout the city. Although unable to visually detect the PSF, an auxiliary-type police force made up of community tribal members, from the actual local policemen, Sunni residents routinely see a presence of Iraqi security forces in the area. These forces plan daily missions to eliminate threats and show their presence amidst narrow, deadly streets traveling on foot or mounted in distinctly recognizable police trucks
For most of the Iraqi forces here the areas they patrol are familiar. They know the people, the area, and who does not belong. This is where they grew up.
“This is my home,” said one Iraqi policeman, who asked not to be identified due to concerns about his family’s safety. “We grew up here and know people here. (Terrorists) need to leave or they die here.”
This is a huge advantage for the U.S. military which has seen its share of conflict spring up in this area.
“Since this is their hometown, whatever they do has a direct result to their family, friends, their tribal connections and their community,” said Maj. Bryan Kramer, police implementation officer, Regimental Combat Team 6. “As opposed to an IP who was recruited from one district and works in another, these men have roots in the town.”
Since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Karmah has not been excluded from terrorist activity but the recent steady conflict here is a new occurrence making the police more of a necessity. Terrorists are finding it more difficult to function in larger cities, such as Fallujah and Ramadi, because of coalition and Iraqi teamwork. They now flow through the suburbs of these cities, such as Karma, seeking refuge and carrying out various assaults. As a result, Karmah now seems to be a hotbed for terrorist traffic and deadly attacks on local police, U.S. forces and citizens. The dense, populated town of two-story homes, schools, markets and automotive shops has presently lost its passive tendencies and found itself in the middle of the fight.
Karmah was recently the scene where a U.S. Sea Knight CH-46 helicopter was shot down by Iraqi Al Qaeda forces less than two months ago, killing seven Marines. These days, coalition and Iraqi forces are using intelligence followed by house searches to find and question possible guerillas or radical sympathizers.
The coalition forces’ ultimate goal of transitioning to Iraqi-led counterterrorism operations has been a success throughout other areas of Anbar and Kramer hopes it will carry into the city of Karmah as well. Having the area’s sheik-ran auxiliary police, or PSF, on the side of the coalition will not only help recruiting, but hopefully restore peace to the city.
“In order for the Iraqis to take the lead, one of the elements they need is a secure environment in which to operate from,” he said. “Instilling a Provincial Security Force in Karmah allows the police to feel more secure in what they are doing, and it gets more people to join.”
Although violence still exists in Al Anbar, Iraqis are turning out in record numbers to support their nation by joining the security forces or alerting security forces of terrorist activity.
When talking about the common Iraqi who has decided to risk his life and pick up arms to fight alongside the coalition forces, Kramer said, “He’s someone who’s decided to get off the sidelines and join in. So, that means he is brave. He’s willing to put his life on the line every day, not only in uniform, but when he goes home on leave. I believe he feels that the risks are acceptable because of the improvements he sees happening in his town. The guys are pretty tough, that’s what it boils down to.
In Karmah, a suburb northeast of Fallujah, Iraqi Police and Provincial Security Forces have continued to battle those who have infiltrated their community and threatened the peaceful lives of shop owners and school children.
To battle these threats, Coalition and Iraqi Forces are continuing to build a strong, reliable security presence throughout Iraq.
There are currently more than 8,000 Iraqi Police, highway patrolmen and PSF in the province. Coalition Forces predict there will be an additional 2,600 sign up for these roles by the end of spring and anticipate having 14,000 Iraqi Police and PSF throughout Al Anbar by year’s end.
More than 20 police recruits graduated, April 28, from the police academy in Baharia and are headed back to their hometown to protect the dusty, crumbled city of Karmah. Terrorists have recently used suicide vehicle improvised explosive devices, mortar and rocket propelled grenade attacks to disrupt the lives for those who try to live a nonviolent existence.
Armed with automatic weapons and ammunition draping from head to toe young and older men alike, wearing blue police vests with their faces covered by scarves, disperse throughout the city. Although unable to visually detect the PSF, an auxiliary-type police force made up of community tribal members, from the actual local policemen, Sunni residents routinely see a presence of Iraqi security forces in the area. These forces plan daily missions to eliminate threats and show their presence amidst narrow, deadly streets traveling on foot or mounted in distinctly recognizable police trucks
For most of the Iraqi forces here the areas they patrol are familiar. They know the people, the area, and who does not belong. This is where they grew up.
“This is my home,” said one Iraqi policeman, who asked not to be identified due to concerns about his family’s safety. “We grew up here and know people here. (Terrorists) need to leave or they die here.”
This is a huge advantage for the U.S. military which has seen its share of conflict spring up in this area.
“Since this is their hometown, whatever they do has a direct result to their family, friends, their tribal connections and their community,” said Maj. Bryan Kramer, police implementation officer, Regimental Combat Team 6. “As opposed to an IP who was recruited from one district and works in another, these men have roots in the town.”
Since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Karmah has not been excluded from terrorist activity but the recent steady conflict here is a new occurrence making the police more of a necessity. Terrorists are finding it more difficult to function in larger cities, such as Fallujah and Ramadi, because of coalition and Iraqi teamwork. They now flow through the suburbs of these cities, such as Karma, seeking refuge and carrying out various assaults. As a result, Karmah now seems to be a hotbed for terrorist traffic and deadly attacks on local police, U.S. forces and citizens. The dense, populated town of two-story homes, schools, markets and automotive shops has presently lost its passive tendencies and found itself in the middle of the fight.
Karmah was recently the scene where a U.S. Sea Knight CH-46 helicopter was shot down by Iraqi Al Qaeda forces less than two months ago, killing seven Marines. These days, coalition and Iraqi forces are using intelligence followed by house searches to find and question possible guerillas or radical sympathizers.
The coalition forces’ ultimate goal of transitioning to Iraqi-led counterterrorism operations has been a success throughout other areas of Anbar and Kramer hopes it will carry into the city of Karmah as well. Having the area’s sheik-ran auxiliary police, or PSF, on the side of the coalition will not only help recruiting, but hopefully restore peace to the city.
“In order for the Iraqis to take the lead, one of the elements they need is a secure environment in which to operate from,” he said. “Instilling a Provincial Security Force in Karmah allows the police to feel more secure in what they are doing, and it gets more people to join.”
Although violence still exists in Al Anbar, Iraqis are turning out in record numbers to support their nation by joining the security forces or alerting security forces of terrorist activity.
When talking about the common Iraqi who has decided to risk his life and pick up arms to fight alongside the coalition forces, Kramer said, “He’s someone who’s decided to get off the sidelines and join in. So, that means he is brave. He’s willing to put his life on the line every day, not only in uniform, but when he goes home on leave. I believe he feels that the risks are acceptable because of the improvements he sees happening in his town. The guys are pretty tough, that’s what it boils down to.